BS EN 131‑1:2015+A1:2019

Incorporating corrigendum May 2019

BSI Standards Publication

Ladders

Part 1: Terms, types, functional sizes

BS EN 131‑1:2015+A1:2019 BRITISH STANDARD

National foreword
This British Standard is the UK implementation of
EN 131‑1:2015+A1:2019. It supersedes BS EN 131‑1:2015, which
is withdrawn.
The start and finish of text introduced or altered by amendment is
indicated in the text by tags. Tags indicating changes to CEN text carry
the number of the CEN amendment. For example, text altered by CEN
amendment A1 is indicated by  .
The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical
Committee B/512, Ladders.
A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on
request to its secretary.
This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions
of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.
© The British Standards Institution 2019
Published by BSI Standards Limited 2019
ISBN 978 0 580 99037 3
ICS 01.040.97; 97.145; 13.180
Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from
legal obligations.
This British Standard was published under the authority of the
Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 30 November 2015.

Amendments/corrigenda issued since publication

Date Text affected

31 May 2018 Supersession details in national foreword updated

31 October 2019 Implementation of CEN amendment A1:2019

 BS EN 131‑1:2015+A1:2019

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 131-1:2015+A1

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM September 2019

ICS 01.040.97; 97.145 Supersedes EN 131-1:2015

English Version

Ladders - Part 1: Terms, types, functional sizes

Échelles - Partie 1: Terminologie, types, dimensions Leitern - Teil 1: Benennungen, Bauarten,
fonctionnelles Funktionsmaße

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 11 September 2015 and includes Amendment 1 approved by CEN on 31 July
2019.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and
United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels

© 2019 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 131-1:2015+A1:2019 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
BS EN 131‑1:2015+A1:2019
EN 131-1:2015+A1:2019 (E)

Contents Page

European foreword....................................................................................................................................................... 3
1 Scope .................................................................................................................................................................... 4
2 Normative references .................................................................................................................................... 4
3 Terms and definitions ................................................................................................................................... 4
4 Functional sizes ............................................................................................................................................ 15
4.1 General ............................................................................................................................................................. 15
4.2 Leaning rung ladders .................................................................................................................................. 15
4.2.1 General ............................................................................................................................................................. 15
4.2.2 One-piece leaning rung ladders .............................................................................................................. 16
4.2.3 Sectional ladders .......................................................................................................................................... 17
4.2.4 Extending ladders ........................................................................................................................................ 17
4.3 Standing rung ladders ................................................................................................................................ 19
4.4 Combination ladders................................................................................................................................... 20
4.4.1 General ............................................................................................................................................................. 20
4.4.2 Two-piece combination ladder ............................................................................................................... 20
4.4.3 Three-piece combination ladder ............................................................................................................ 23
4.5 Leaning step ladders ................................................................................................................................... 24
4.6 Standing step ladders ................................................................................................................................. 25
4.7 Standing rung and step ladder ................................................................................................................ 27
Annex A (informative) A-deviations ................................................................................................................... 28
Bibliography ................................................................................................................................................................. 29

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European foreword

This document (EN 131-1:2015+A1:2019) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 93
“Ladders”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by March 2020, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by March 2020.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent
rights.

This document includes Amendment 1 approved by CEN on 2019-03-29.

This document supersedes !EN 131-1:2015"

The start and finish of text introduced or altered by amendment is indicated in the text by tags !".

This document has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission and the
European Free Trade Association.

!deleted text"

EN 131, Ladders, is one of a series about ladders:

— Part 1: Terms, types, functional sizes [the present document];

— Part 2: Requirements, testing, marking;

— Part 3: !Marking and" user Instructions;

— Part 4: Single or multiple hinge-joint ladders;

— Part 6: Telescopic ladders;

— Part 7: Mobile ladders with platform.

The standards of this series are listed in Clause 2 and in the Bibliography.

According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
!Republic of North Macedonia", Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and the United Kingdom.

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1 Scope
This European Standard defines terms and specifies the general design characteristics of ladders.
! It applies to portable ladders designed for general professional and non-professional use.
This standard does not apply to portable ladders which by their design and instructions are intended
and limited only for a specific professional use and as a result are not for general professional or non-
professional use."
NOTE 1 For multiple hinge joint ladders EN 131–4 applies.

NOTE 2 For telescopic ladders EN 131–6 applies.

NOTE 3 For mobile ladders with platforms EN 131–7 applies.

NOTE 4 This standard does not apply to step stools for which EN 14183 applies.

! NOTE 5 For ladders to work near high voltage installations, EN 61478 applies and for working near low
voltage electric installations, EN 50528 applies."

2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 131-2, Ladders — Part 2: Requirements, testing, marking

EN 131-3, Ladders — Part 3: User Instructions

EN 131-4:2007, Ladders — Part 4: Single or multiple hinge-joint ladders

3 Terms and definitions

For the purpose of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 131–4:2007 for single or
multiple hinge-joint ladders and the following apply.

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Table 1
Dimensions in millimetres

No Terms Definition Figure

3.1 ladder device incorporating steps
or rungs on which a person
may step to ascend or
descend
3.2 portable ladder ladder which can be
transported and set up by
hand
!3.3 (deleted row)"
3.4 rung ladder portable ladder with rungs,
which have a standing
surface from front to back
of less than 80 mm
3.5 leaning rung ladder rung ladder which does not
have its own support
3.6 one-piece leaning leaning rung ladder
rung ladder consisting of one part only

Figure 2

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No Terms Definition Figure

3.7 sectional ladder leaning ladder consisting of
several sections that can be
fitted together by means of
connection devices
Note 1 to entry: The length can
only be varied by one whole
section at a time.

Figure 3
3.8 extending ladder leaning rung ladder
consisting of two or more
parts where the length can
be regulated by one rung at
a time
3.9 push-up extending extending ladder where the
ladder upper parts are extended by
hand

Figure 4

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No Terms Definition Figure

3.10 rope-operated extending ladder where the
extending ladder upper parts are extended by
means of a rope or other
means such as chains,
straps or cables

Figure 5
3.11 standing rung ladder two-piece self-supporting
rung ladder, unilaterally or
bilaterally ascendable

Figure 6
3.12 combination ladder rung ladder of several parts,
that can be used as, an
extending ladder, a standing
ladder or as a standing
ladder with an extending
ladder at the top, and parts
of which may be used as
one piece leaning ladders

Figure 7

Figure 8
3.13 step ladder portable ladder with steps
horizontal during use and a
standing surface from front
to back equal to or greater
than 80 mm

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No Terms Definition Figure

3.14 leaning step ladder step ladder that does not
have its own support
consisting of one or several
parts

Figure 9
3.15 standing step ladder two-legged self-supporting
step ladder, unilaterally or
bilaterally ascendable; with
or without platform; with or
without hand-/knee rail; a
platform is regarded as a
step
unilaterally ascendable step
ladder

Figure 10
bilaterally ascendable step
ladder

Figure 11
unilaterally ascendable step
ladder with platform and
hand-/knee rail

Figure 12
bilaterally ascendable step
ladder with platform and
hand-/knee rail

Figure 13
3.16 standing ladder ladder (with rungs or steps)
which has its own support

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No Terms Definition Figure

3.17 standing rung and standing ladder, one section
step ladder with rungs and the other
section with steps
3.18 stile lateral part of a ladder
which supports the rungs or
steps as well as cross struts
of supporting legs
3.19 rung climbing support with a
standing surface from front
to back of less than 80 mm
and at least 20 mm

Figure 14
3.20 step climbing support with a
standing surface from front
to back equal to or greater
than 80 mm

Figure 15
3.21 platform topmost standing surface of
a standing step ladder
which is different from a
step
3.22 ascending leg leg of a ladder with
climbing supports
3.23 supporting leg leg of a ladder without
climbing supports
3.24 hand-/knee rail device for holding onto or
gaining support from at the
upper end of a standing
ladder
3.25 cross strut horizontal connection of the
stiles of the supporting leg Figure 16

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No Terms Definition Figure

3.26 bottom brace device which secures the
lower end of the stile
against buckling
3.27 opening restraint device on standing ladders
device which secures the two legs
of the ladder from sliding
apart
3.28 locking device device to keep ladder hooks
engaged on the rung or step
during use
3.29 hinge-joint device on standing ladder
which secures the two legs
of the ladder
3.30 foot device fitted permanently
to the bottom of ladders to
prevent the ladder from
slipping; or, in the case of a
wooden ladder, bottom of
the stile or a component
fitted to the bottom of the Figure 17
stile
3.31 inner width b1 !useable distance !
between the inner sides of
the stiles measured at the
upper edge of the shortest
rung/step/platform"
3.32 outside width b2 distance between the outer
side of stiles measured at
the lower end of stiles or
the outside width of the
supporting points of the
stabilizer

"
Figure 18
3.33 total length l1 !distance measured over (see Figure 19)
the bottom foot to the top of
a fully extended ladder"

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No Terms Definition Figure

3.34 length of combination distance from the lower end (see Figures 31 and 33)
ladders l8 of the ladder to the upper
edge of the standing ladder
made with the first two
parts of the combination
ladder (without considering
the top part of a three part
combination ladder),
measured in the middle line
between the stiles”

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No Terms Definition Figure

3.35 length to the topmost distance from the lower end
rung/step l2 of the ladder to the upper
edge of the topmost
rung/step or to the upper
edge of the platform,
measured in the middle line
between the stiles
3.36 distance between the distance between the upper
upper surface of the surface of the topmost rung
topmost rung and the to the top end of the ladder,
top end l3 measured in the middle line
between the stiles
3.37 distance between the distance from the lower end
bottom end and the of the ladder to the upper
lowest rung/step or edge of the lowest
the top end and the rung/step, or the distance
highest rung/step l4 from the upper end of the
ladder to the lower edge of
the highest rung/step
measured in the middle line
between the stiles
3.38 distance between distance between the Figure 19
rungs/steps l5 rungs/steps, measured in
the middle line between the
stiles from the upper edge
of rung/step to the upper
edge of rung/step or to the
upper edge of platform
3.39 touch-down height h1 vertical height measured
from floor level to the top
contact point, upper edge of
a touch down rail or a
hooking-in bar when the
ladder is standing in its
correct working position
3.40 height to upper edge distance measured (see Figure 35)
of rung/step/platform vertically from the floor
h2 level to the upper edge of
the topmost rung/step or
platform of the ladder when
the ladder is standing in its
correct working position

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No Terms Definition Figure

3.41 inclination α, β angle (α for ascending leg, β
for supporting leg) between
the horizontal plane and the
legs of the ladder

Figure 20

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No Terms Definition Figure

3.42 width of platform l6 distance between the left
and the right edges of the
platform
3.43 depth of platform l7 distance between the front
and the rear edges of the
platform
3.44 platform overhang c distance from the rear side
of the support legs to the
rear edge of the platform
Figure 21
3.45 hand-/knee rail height vertical distance from the
d top edge of the platform to
the top edge of the hand-
/knee rail
3.46 thickness of stile t outside dimension of the (see Figures 28 to 31)
stile, measured
perpendicular to the stile
axis in the plane of the
ladder
3.47 clearance e horizontal distance between (see Figure 27)
the rungs of two parallel
parts of the ladder, when
the locking devices are in
the use position
3.48 bar type stabilizer component fixed across the
base of a ladder and acts as
a device to increase the
base width b2 and provides
increased stability

Figure 22

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No Terms Definition Figure

3.49 lateral type stabilizer component fixed to the
ladder in the plane of the
ladders width and acts as a
device to increase the base
width b2 and provides
increased stability

Figure 23

3.50 pole type stabilizer component fixed to the

ladder not in the plane of
the ladders width and acts
as a device to increase the
base width b2 and provides
increased stability

Figure 24

4 Functional sizes

4.1 General

The drawings are examples only and products need not correspond. However, dimensions are binding.
The rungs and steps of a ladder shall be equally spaced with a tolerance of ± 2 mm.
In addition to the requirements on the complete ladder, sections which can be dismantled without the
use of tools shall conform, section by section, with the requirements for one piece leaning ladders or
leaning rung ladders.
4.2 Leaning rung ladders

4.2.1 General

Functional sizes are given in Table 2.

The minimum permanently available base width for leaning rung ladders shall be derived from the
formula b2 in Table 2. Combination and multi-hinge ladders shall also meet the minimum base width
requirements in leaning ladder modes of use. For leaning ladders the method of achieving the
permanently available minimum base width is at the discretion of the manufacturer but it shall be
permanently incorporated in the design and not provided by removable components or accessories. It
is permissible for a device which provides the required base width to be supplied for assembly by the

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end user with the use of tools. It is permissible for the design to allow for the base width b2 or its
position to be temporarily adjusted by the user. Where the base width can be temporarily adjusted by
the user then instructions and markings shall be provided in accordance with the requirements of
EN 131-3.

Table 2 — Functional sizes of leaning rung ladders

Dimensions in millimetres

b1a b2a b2a where eb l3 and l4a l5 α

where
l1 > 3 000
l1 ≤ 3 000
min. 280 340 b1 + 0,1 l1 + 2 t — 0,5 l5 250 65°
max. — —c —c 45 l5 + 15 300 75°
a This dimension applies also to single parts of a ladder if they can be used separately e.g. as leaning ladder.
b The dimension e for extending ladders (see Figure 27) is relevant only when the upper section slides over
the lower section.
c The dimension b2 for leaning ladders may be limited to a maximum of 1200 mm at the discretion of the
manufacturer.
!deleted footnotes"

4.2.2 One-piece leaning rung ladders

Figure 25 — One-piece leaning rung ladder

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4.2.3 Sectional ladders

Figure 26 — Sectional ladder

4.2.4 Extending ladders

If the top ladder element is more than 3 000 mm then it should not be separable if the design introduces
new hazards in use.
The design of the stabilizer shall not create the possibility of foreseeable misuse or introduce additional
hazards. See Figure 32.

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Key
a upper ladder
b lower ladder

Figure 27 — Extending ladders

The dimension of the overlap depends on calculation and design of the ladder. It is determined by the
manufacturer. The function and carrying capacity of the overlap shall be verified by means of the test
according to EN 131-2.

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4.3 Standing rung ladders

The legs are connected with hinge joints and shall be secured from sliding apart. Functional sizes are
given in Table 3.

Table 3 — Functional sizes of standing rung ladders

Dimensions in millimetres

b1 b2 l4 l5 α β

min. 280 b1 + 0,1 l2 + 2 t 0,5 l5 250 65° 65°

max. — — l5 + 15 300 75° 75°

!deleted footnotes"

Key Key
a example of an opening restraint device a example of an opening restraint device
b it shall not be possible to remove the stabilizers by
hand.
Figure 28 — Standing rung ladder with tapered Figure 29 — Standing rung ladder with parallel
legs stiles and stabilizers at the base of both
sections of the ladder

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Key
a example of an opening restraint device

Figure 30 — Standing rung ladder with parallel stiles splayed at the bottom of both sections

4.4 Combination ladders

4.4.1 General

When combination ladders are used as standing ladders, the ladder parts shall be secured from sliding
apart.
4.4.2 Two-piece combination ladder

If the top ladder element is more than 3000mm then it should not be separable if the design introduces
new hazards in use. See Figure 32.

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!Table 4 — Functional sizes of two-piece combination ladders

Dimensions in millimetres

b2 in leaning b2 in standing
b1 l3 l4 l5 α β
ladder mode ladder mode
b1 + 0,1 l1 + b1 + 0,15 l8 + 2
min. 280 0,5 l5 0,5 l5 250 65° 65°
2 ta t
— l5 + l5 +
max. — — 300 75° 75°
15 15
a For l1 see Figure 27.

"

a)

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b)
Key
a example of an opening restraint device

Figure 31 — Combination ladder, shown as standing ladder

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4.4.3 Three-piece combination ladder

If the top ladder element is more than 3 000 mm then it should not be separable if the design introduces
new hazards in use. See Figure 32.

Figure 32 — Example of a hazard in use with a two section extension ladder where the sections
may be separated

NOTE In this example where the ladder sections are separable and a bar type stabilizer is fitted to both
sections, an additional hazard is created when the two sections are used together.

!Table 5 — Functional sizes of three-piece combination ladders

Dimensions in millimetres

b2 in leaning b2 in
b1 ladder mode standing l3 l4 l5 α β
ladder mode
b1 + 0,1 l1 + b1 + 0,175
min. 280 0,5 l5 0,5 l5 250 65° 65°
2 ta l8 + 2 t

max. — — — l5 + 15 l5 + 15 300 75° 75°

a For l1 see Figure 27.

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"

Key
a, b example of opening restraint device

Figure 33 — Combination ladder, shown as standing ladder with an extending ladder at the top

4.5 Leaning step ladders

The permissible inclination α applies to the height of the touch-down surface above floor level, when
the steps are in horizontal position. Functional sizes are given in Table 6.

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Table 6 — Functional sizes of leaning step ladders

Dimensions in millimetres

b2 where b2 where
b1 l4 l5 α
l1 ≤ 3 000a l1 > 3 000a
min. 280 340 b1 + 0,1 l1 + 2 t 0,5 l5 230 60°
max. — —b —b l5 + 15 300 70°
a This size applies also to single parts of a ladder if they can be used separately e.g. as leaning ladder.
!deleted footnote"
!b The dimension b2 for leaning ladders may be limited to a maximum of 1 200 mm at the discretion of the
manufacturer."

Figure 34 — Leaning step ladder

4.6 Standing step ladders

The legs are connected with hinge joints and shall be secured from sliding apart.
During the use of ladder the steps shall be in horizontal position.
The projection of the handrail onto the platform shall not go beyond the latter.
The radius of the horizontal edges of a platform shall be max 15 mm (see Figure 37) in order to avoid
slipping at the edges of the platform.
Functional sizes are given in Table 7.

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Table 7 — Functional sizes of standing step ladders

Dimensions in millimetres

b1 b2 c d l4 l5 l6b l7 α β

min. 280 b1 + 0,1 l2+2 t — 600a 0,5 l5 230 250 250 60° 65°

max. — — 30 — l5 + 15 300 — — 70° 75°

!deleted footnote"
a Measured vertically.
b It shall be possible to inscribe a square of 250 mm x 250 mm in the platform (see Figure 37).
!deleted footnote"

!deleted text"

Key
a example of an opening restraint device
b the topmost surface is not regarded as a step
Figure 35 — Unilaterally ascendable standing Figure 36 — Bilaterally ascendable standing
step ladder with platform and handrail; the step ladder
platform is considered as step

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Dimensions in millimetres

Key
a tread surface

Figure 37 — Platform

4.7 Standing rung and step ladder

The rung section shall be designed in accordance with 4.3 and the step section in accordance with 4.6.

Figure 38 — Standing rung and step ladder

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Annex A
(informative)

A-deviations

A-deviation: National deviation due to regulations, the alteration of which is for the time being outside
the competence of the CEN/CENELEC member.
This European Standard does not fall under any Directive of the EU.
In the relevant CEN/CENELEC countries these A-deviations are valid instead of the provisions of the
European Standard until they have been removed.
Italy
According to the Italian legislation concerning the protection health and safety in the workplace —
Italian Legislative Decree d.lgs April 9th, 2008, n. 81 and as amended and supplemented — ladders
described in the revision of EN 131-1 are allowed in Italy only if complying with the following
requirements:
a) “Ladders, in accordance with Clause 113, point 6 c), shall be also fitted with:

1) anti-slippage devices at the bottom stiles ends;

2) holding hooks or anti-slippage supports to the top ends, when necessary to ensure the ladders
stability”;

b) “For use of sectional ladders assembling two or more elements fitted together (Italian type or
similar), besides what already stated in Clause 113 point 3, the following requirements, in
accordance with Clause 113 points 8 a) and 8 b), have also to be met:

1) the length of the ladder made ready for use shall not be more than 15 m, except in case of
particular needs, in which case the top ends of stiles shall be secured to fixed parts;

2) ladders made ready for use longer than 8 m shall be fitted with a length breaker to reduce the
deflection”;

c) “Standing ladders shall not be longer than 5 m” in accordance with Clause 113 point 9.

d) “Rungs (in case of wooden ladders) shall not present knots and shall be fixed end to the stiles,
which have to be held by means of iron tie rods applied under the two end rungs; ladders longer
than 4 m shall also present an intermediate tie rod” in accordance with Clause 113 point 3.

The Netherlands
A-deviation in order to reflect the Dutch legal requirement regarding handrails.
‘Besluit Draagbaar Klimmaterieel’, Appendix A, Article 3’ (see Annex 2), in which is mentioned that all
step ladders (with top height above 60 cm) shall have a hand-/knee rail of at least 60 cm height
measured between the platform and the hand-/knee railt.
Sweden
Ladders according to EN 131-1 are allowed in Sweden only if complying with the requirements in the
Swedish Work Environment Act, AFS 2004:3. This means that the inner width, b1, for all types of ladders
shall be minimum 300 mm. For leaning ladders, the outside width, b2, shall be minimum 400 mm.

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Bibliography

[1] EN 131-6, Ladders — Part 6: Telescopic ladders

[2] EN 131-7, Ladders — Part 7: Mobile ladders with platform

[3] EN 14183, Step stools

[4] EN 50528, Insulating ladders for use on or near low voltage electrical installations

[5] EN 61478, Live working - Ladders of insulating material

"

29
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